WEC 52 play by play and live results

LAS VEGAS – MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) is on scene and reporting live from tonight’s WEC 52 event.

Tonight’s show takes place at The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. The main card
airs on Versus.

Follow along with our round-by-round updates and official results beginning at approximately 6 p.m. ET (3 p.m. PT) for the preliminary card and 9 p.m. ET for the main card.

Tonight’s event, which is the second-to-last WEC show before a January merge with the UFC, features the bantamweight debut of former featherweight champ Urijah Faber, who meets Takeya Mizugaki. Other featured bouts include Chad Mendes vs. Javier Vazquez, Erik Koch vs. Francisco Rivera and Joseph Benavidez vs. Wagnney Fabiano

To discuss tonight’s show, be sure to check out our WEC 52 discussion thread. You can also get behind-the-scenes coverage and other event notes from on-site reporter John Morgan (@MMAjunkieJohn)
on Twitter.

Enjoy the fights, everyone.

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YVES JABOUIN VS. BRANDON VISHER

Round 1 – Emcee Joe Martinez makes his triumphant return. Referee Steve Mazzagatti in charge of the evening’s first fight. Jabouin bouncing early and he throws a low kick that Visher counters with a right hand. Jabouin feints as he feels out Visher. Low kick to the thigh for Jabouin. Jabouin blocks an overhand right. Miguel Torres yells from the corner for Jabouin to keep an eye on that punch. Visher backs straight up from a Jabouin 1-2 that misses. High kick from Jabouin blocked. Straight for Jabouin scores and he fires off another high kick. Visher lands a low kick, but he has yet to really unleash. Jabouin lands a stiff jab halfway into the round. Jabouin continues to fake with the head, and Visher is uncharacteristically stagnant. Jabouin grabs a Thai clinch, but Visher fires a flurry of shots to the body until he’s released. Jabouin the patient aggressor. He lands a left hand and a trip from the clinch. Visher pulls guard, and Jabouin walks him into the cage. Torres giving directions on the floor as Visher ties up and stalls underneath. Visher releases and scrambles up, but Jabouin shoots in for a single and earns another takedown. Visher in half-guard. Round ends there, and it’s 10-9 Jabouin on the MMAjunkie.com card.

Round 2 – Jabouin shuffles his feet and lands a high kick with the left leg. He throws two more that also land. Visher returning fire with punches, but the better blows are Jabouin’s. A slip from Jabouin as he tries another kick, but he regains his balance quickly. Jabouin kicks to the leg. Visher moves in with that overhand, but Jabouin avoids and scampers away. Jabouin continues to lead with the kick, and he’s varying levels. Visher throws one of his own that’s blocked. Jabouin throws another kick. Visher shoots on the move, but Jabouin sprawls well, clinches up and earns his own takedown. Visher settles for guard. Visher wraps his arms and holds Jabouin close. Jabouin gets enough room to land a few short forearms and elbows. Visher releases, and Jabouin postures for a big right hand. Visher kicks away, and Jabouin stands. Jabouin delivers an axe kick to the body and a diving punch before working for a guillotine. It’s not there, so he tries to spin around for an anaconda choke. Visher defends that as well, and Jabouin settles for controlling the head. In the clinch, and they scramble for position. As the jockey about, Visher lands a heavy right hand. Jabouin stumbles momentarily and fires off a high kick. Great action as the round ends, but MMAjunkie.com gives it to Jabouin, 10-9.

Round 3 – Early low kick from Jabouin. Visher answers. Jabouin patiently picking apart Visher, who needs to get busy. He does, and two hooks score. Jabouin acts dazed, but Visher doesn’t bite. They reset in the center. Jabouin with a nice low kick. Visher now starting to fire heavy leather, but Jabouin avoiding any damage. Still, the blows look to have pop. Visher moves into the clinch and looks for the takedown, but it’s once again Jabouin that reverses the momentum and winds up in top position. Visher with guard, but he’s not going to win from his back. Short punches to the body coming from the top. Visher fires back from his back, but he can’t wiggle free. He scoots to the cage, but Jabouin won’t let him wall-walk to his feet. Open guard from Visher, but Jabouin stacks him up and begins to posture with punches. Jabouin settles into half-mount with less than a minute. Visher trying to find space, but Jabouin is landing left hands. Closing seconds, and Jabouin tries to lock in a guillotine and roll over for the finish. Visher wiggles free, but Jabouin shoots in for a final takedown in the final seconds. Another round for Jabouin, 10-9, who takes the fight 30-27 on the MMAjunkie.com card. Yves Jabouin def. Brandon Visher via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

MACKENS SEMERZIER VS. CUB SWANSON

Round 1 – Referee Herb Dean oversees this featherweight contest. Swanson with an early low kick. Semerzier answers in kind as they trade a few slapping shots to the leg. Semerzier misses two jabs. Swanson looks to kick, and Semerzier scores a well-time takedown. Swanson immediately wiggles back to his feet. Straight right for Swanson, and he moves into the clinch. Semerzier spins Swanson into the cage with an over-under clinch. The two jockey for underhooks. Swanson scores a trip, but they pop right back up. Swanson lands a straight, but Semerzier answers again with a heavy shot. Smiles from Swanson. Semerzier misses a leaping knee. Great action. Semerzier tries a standing guillotine choke, but Swanson pulls free. Both guys throwing bombs. Semerzier clinches up and scores another takedown and settles into half-mount. Semerzier postures but eats a series of upkicks. He backs away and Swanson stands. Shots on the feet immediately from both. Semerzier circles on the outside. Swanson looks unsuccessfully for a takedown. Semerzier delivers a few straight shots that connect flush. Swanson answers, as well, but Semerzier landing a bit more frequently. Good first round, but MMAjunkie.com sees it for Semerzier, 10-9.

Round 2 – Traded low kicks again to open, and Semerzier pushes into the clinch. He lands a knee and pulls away. Swanson showing nice head movement, but Semerzier the aggressor. Overhand scores for Semerzier. Both guys trading in the pocket, and both are scoring. Semerzier’s seem a little stronger, but neither guy is fading. Swanson shoots for a double. The fight hits the deck, but Semerzier springs back to his feet. They work in the clinch briefly, but pulls away. Semerzier lands a wild hook. Swanson gets another trip takedown, but Semerzier leaps back to his feet. Semerzier slips on a high kick. Swanson lands low with a kick and Semerzier stumbles. Spinning backfist from Swanson. Punches from all angles by both fighters. Swanson locks the legs again. Straight left followed by a leaping high kick. One minute left. Semerzier fires off a series of punches that land. Swanson ducks under and earns a takedown. Semerzier pulls guard, and the round ends there without any significant offense. Very close on the feet, but with the takedown, MMAjunkie.com awards the second to Swanson, 10-9.

Round 3 – Semerzier comes out winging. Swanson avoids them but is swept to the floor on a kick. He doesn’t stay there, but Semerzier knees him as he rises. Fast pace to open the final frame. Swanson shoots the double. Semerzier wiggles to the cage and rises to his feet. Swanson works from the clinch briefly before releasing. Jab from Swanson. Semerzier catches a body kick and pushes Swanson to the floor. Swanson sits up and tries for a guillotine. Not there, but it gets him to his feet. Two minutes in. Swanson lands an uppercut. Semerzier answers with straights. Swanson works hooks and ducks Semerzier’s counters. Swanson ducks a punch and shoots in again. Semerzier gets his feet on the hips and bucks Swanson away. Swanson tries to shoot, but he looks tired. Semerzier pulls away, but Swanson tags him with three punches. Swanson ducks into a knee, and Semerzier tries to shoot. Swanson sprawls, and Semerzier tries to take the back. Swanson rolls an defends, but as Semerzier looks for mount, he has to roll again. Semerzier delivers short lefts against the cage. Swanson is trapped in the corner. He gives up his back. Swanson defending the choke, but Semerzier firing left hands. Swanson rolls, and Semerzier continues to punch from the top. Hammerfists land from the top. Swanson scrambles to his feet in the closing seconds and the two fire punches to-to-toe until the final bell. Crowd on its feet. Great fight, great finish, and both fighters raise their hands at the end. MMAjunkie.com sees the final round for Semerzier, 10-9, and awards the early “Fight of the Night” candidate to Semerzier, 29-28, though this could go either way. Cub Swanson def. Mackens Semerzier via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).

CLINT GODFREY VS. MICHAEL MCDONALD

Round 1 – Referee Josh Rosenthal makes his first appearance of the night. McDonald takes the center and throws an overhand over a low kick. McDonald looking to counter in the center. He does so with a 1-2 on another low kick. Straight right drops Godfrey. McDonald lands a few punches on the floor but backs away and as Godfrey scrambles up. Godfrey shoots in, but McDonald sprawls and remains upright. Godfrey looks for a toss, but McDonald stays upright. Godfrey clinches the body, elevates and slams McDonald, nearly on his head. McDonald grabs full guard and tries to sit against the fence. McDonald tries to pull his right leg over the head, but it slides off. McDonald calm underneath, and he shifts the hips and locks in the armbar. It’s deep, and Godfrey taps almost immediately. Quick finish. Michael McDonald def. Clint Godfrey via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 2:42.

ZACK MICKLEWRIGHT VS. DUSTIN POIRIER

Round 1 – Referee Kim Winslow in the cage. Poirier charges forward with a flurry of punches. Most are blocked, but he’s unrelenting. Poirier just teeing off on Micklewright. Poirier keeps the pressure on. Clean right hand scores. Micklewright is definitely rocked, but he’s standing in the pocket and firing back. Poirier continues to hammer away. Some 20 punches come with Micklewright against the cage. The counterstrikes have stopped, and he’s just covering up. Some of the punches are blocked, but Poirier is just pouring on the damage. Crowd calling for the towel, and Winslow finally steps in. Micklewright never went down, but after the fight is waved off, he collapses to the floor. Impressive stuff from Poirier. Dustin Poirier def. Zack Micklewright via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 0:53.

EDWARD FAALOLOTO VS. ANTHONY NJOKUANI

Round 1 – Referee Steve Mazzagatti in charge. Faaloloto with a few early low kicks. Njokuani lands a right hand as Faaloloto shakes his arms out. Both fighters patient in the early kickboxing match. Faaloloto shoots in, but Njokuani backs up to the cage. Njokuani circles off, but Faaloloto immediately returns it. Njokuani yelling with each strike. Faaloloto scores a direct knee to the cup, and Njokuani yells a little differently. Timeout. Njokuani paces around grimacing, but he’s OK after a brief break. Faaloloto apologizes, and action resumes. Faaloloto carrying his left hand low. He kicks low. Faaloloto shoots in again. He can’t score the takedown, but he shifts to the back and suplexes Njokuani to the floor. Faaloloto on the back, but Njokuani spins free and takes top position. Faaloloto with a closed guard. Njokuani postures and lands a few punches, but nothing scores too furiously. Njokuani spins to stand, and Faaloloto just misses grabbing a left. Njokuani with a nice right hand. Njokuani with a left to the body and a big right up top. Another right hand scores. Faaloloto retreating and doesn’t look dazed, but he’s getting caught. Faaloloto kicks low. Another big overhand right from Njokuani scores. Faaloloto clinches up, but Njokuani stalls until the bell. MMAjunkie.com scores it for Njokuani, 10-9.

Round 2 – Low kick from Faaloloto. Njokuani returns the favor to the body. Njokuani still punctuating every strike vocally. Faaloloto catches a kick, and Njokunani stumbles away, but he’s safe. Faaloloto kicks to the body. Njokuani’s hands by his waist. Faaloloto lands his best flurry of the night, but Njokuani pulls away and delvers a front kick to the gut. Njokuani misses a right hand and presses into the clinch. He gets a nice Thai plum and delivers four knees to the gut. A fifth one folds Faaloloto. He clinches and looks for the takedown, but Njokuani reverses the action with a beautiful acrobatic throw that draws big cheers. Njokuani in side control. Faaloloto tries to keep him close, but Njokuani lands a few short elbows. Njokuani briefly has the crucifix, but Faaloloto scrambles out and to his knees. Faaloloto’s left eye bleeding as he returns to his feet. Njokuani scores a right high kick to the head. Njokuani lands a knee inside, but this time it’s Faaloloto who has been hit in the groin. Just a short break. Less than a minute remains. Njokuani with a crisp jab. Faaloloto trying to cover up, but Njokuani’s confidence is soaring as he unleashes combos with his arms and legs. More knees from the Thai clinch. A right elbow to the head drops Faaloloto in the closing seconds, and Mazzagatti rushes in just before the bell with Njokuani prepping to pounce. Anthony Njokuani def. Edward Faaloloto via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 4:54.

RAPHAEL ASSUNCAO VS. L.C. DAVIS

Round 1 – Referee Herb Dean calls the evening’s final preliminary bout. Assuncao takes the center. Davis circles outside and lands a left straight. Assuncao moving around and lands an inside low kick. Davis shoots in, but Assuncao sprawls and locks up an arm-in guillotine choke and falls to his back. Davis jumps out to side control, but Assuncao refuses to release the neck. He finally does as he regains guard. Assuncao ties up the arms from underneath with strong wrist control. Davis does land a few left hands from the top. Assuncao rolls over for and armbar, but Daivs feels it, pulls free and returns to his feet. Quick exchange of punches and into the clinch. Neutral position, and Assuncao pulls away. Davis shoots in again, but Assuncao stuffs it and pulls away. Inside low kick from Assuncao, and it gets the cup. Dean calls for time. Davis walks it off quickly, and we’re back to action. Assuncao again takes the center as Davis circles left. Assuncao leaps in with a Superman punch followed by two more punches. Assuncao uses the flurry to move into the clinch. He tries a single-leg, but Davis pulls away. He is warned for grabbing the fence, though. Closing seconds, and a traded flurry sees the fighters move back into the clinch. Assuncao tosses Davis and finishes the round in top position. MMAjunkie.com sees the first for Assuncao, 10-9.

Round 2 – Davis takes the center in this round, and he leaps in with a left. Davis more active early, and a few punches do find their mark. Assuncao closes the distance and pushes in against the cage. Assuncao pulls Davis away from the cage and scores the takedown. Davis did grab the fence on the way down, but no warning from Dean. Davis scoots back and tries to walk up the cage, but Assuncao keeps his arms around the legs. Davis does make it up, though Assuncao keeps the bodylock tight and pulls him to the floor again. Davis moves up quickly, and Assuncao pulls away. Davis lands a lead left. Assuncao retreats, but Davis is finding a home for his punches when he’s allowed the room. Assuncao closes up the distance and returns to the clinch.Assuncao just misses a big right as he pulls away. Assuncao keeps Davis away with a front kick. Davis circles on the outside. Traded straights. Assuncao lands a nice jab as he stalks. Davis lands two punches. Close round, but MMAjunkie.com sees it for Assuncao, 10-9, based on the takedowns.

Round 3 – Davis looks to land that left. Assuncao moving in with his own punches, and Davis just misses a homerun swing. Davis shoots in behind a punch, but Assuncao won’t hit the deck. He stands Davis up in the clinch before pulling away after finding nothing there. Assuncao returns to the low kick. Two land. Davis pumps a few straights that miss. Assuncao with a Superman, but Davis ready this time. Assuncao staying just out of range of Davis’ punches. Davis lands a kick to the chest, that sees Assuncao slip to the canvas, but he’s immediately back up. Assuncao again moves into the clinch and shoves Davis into the cage. Trip to the floor, and Assuncao is on top with 90 seconds left. Davis with guard underneath as time starts to slip away. He scrambles back to his feet and breaks free of Assuncao’s clinch. Davis shoots in, but Assuncao again shows great balance and sprawls to his knees and delivers elbows to the head. They return to the feet for the closing seconds, but Davis is out of time. MMAjunkie.com again sees it for Assuncao, 10-9, and gives him the fight 30-27. Raphael Assuncao def. L.C. Davis via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

DEMETRIOUS JOHNSON VS. DAMACIO PAGE

Round 1 – Referee Josh Rosenthal in charge of the evening’s first main-card contest. Page takes the center early as Johnson scampers around. Page moves into the clinch and tries a toss. Johnson defends, though the pair does hit the ground with Johnson on top. Page to his knees, and Johnson tries to secure a choke. Nothing there, and they trade inside before Johnson pulls away. Crisp straight from Johnson, but Page closes the distance and does secure a takedown. Page in side control and dives a few knees into the ribs. Johnson spins into half-guard, but his head is against the cage. Page patiently works to mount. Halfway in, and Page is patient fro the top. Johnson scrambles to guard and tries to pull free. Page latches onto the neck. Johnson trying to pull away, but Page beautifully tosses him to the floor. Johnson works to a knee and reverses the position. Page on the bottom, but he stands up quickly. Bodylock from Page, and he slams Johnson down again. Page in side control. Johnson tries unsuccessfully to roll up, but he does secure guard. Page doesn’t land much, but he keeps control of the position until the round ends. MMAjunkie.com sees the first for Page, 10-9.

Round 2 – Johnson lands an early high kick to the face. It’s partially blocked, and Page just sticks his tongue out. Both flurry with punches, and Page again moves into the clinch. Johnson sprawls well on the takedown attempt, but Page continues to push through on a single-leg. Johnson trapped against the cage, but he works back to his feet. Johnson throws an inside leg kick, and it’s a direct shot to the cup. Page falls to the canvas and earns a breather. Page takes the center on the restart. Johnson firing quick punches, but Page stays just out of range. Johnson continues to land low kicks. Page tries the same, but Johnson shoots a double and drives Page to the floor. Page with guard underneath, though Johnson steps over one leg. Page scrambles up to his knees and eventually works to his feet. Johnson stays pinned to the body and drags him back to the floor. Page secures guard underneath. Johnson tries to use the cage for leverage to sweep, but Johnson is controlling well from the top. Not a lot of damage being done, but he’s neutralizing Page. Johnson lands a few short elbows. Page finally finds some space to get to a knee, but Johnson plants him right back down. Round ends there, and MMAjunkie.com sees the second for Johnson, 10-9.

Round 3 – Early kicks traded from both. Page looks for a takedown, but Johnson stuffs it and delivers a powerful flurry that ends with a kick to the face. Page hits the deck and Johnson sets up on top. Half-mount for Johnson. Page spins to a knee and looks to secure a kimura. Johnson pulls it free easily. Page holding tight from underneath. Johnson covers the mouth briefly. Page spins again to his knees, and Johnson secures the head from a north-south position. He latches in a guillotine on the left-hand side and drives Page to his back. Choke is tight, and Page is forced to tap. Johnson punctuates his win with a nice Capoeira display. Demetrious Johnson def. Damacio Page via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 3, 2:27.

JOSEPH BENAVIDEZ VS. WAGNNEY FABIANO

Round 1 – Referee Kim Winslow in the cage for this bantamweight affair. Benavidez gets a big pop from the crowd. Benavidez passes on the glove tap. Fabiano jabs from the center as Benavidez circles. Benavidez jabs a bit while figuring out the range. A left scores from Benavidez. He fires a kick, too, but Fabiano covering up well. Fabiano kicks the legs. Benavidez throws two hooks and lips, but he’s staying busier early. Benavidez slips on a high kick, but he pops back up before Fabiano can follow. Fabiano kicks the body, and he has yet to look for a takedown. Fabiano slips on a kick but pops back up. Benavidez fires off a big overhand that’s blocked. Two minutes left. Fabiano circles and Benavidez kicks hard to the body. Fabiano answers with a slapping blow to the gut. Benavidez unleashes three punches, but Fabiano still covering well. Fabiano still working the kicks well. Benavidez clinches up, spins, and lands a kick as he moves away. Both fighters miss big hooks. Fabiano lands a leaping knee in the closing seconds and the two flurry to close. Very close round, but MMAjunkie.com leans toward Fabiano, 10-9.

Round 2 – Quick early exchange, and Fabiano hits the deck. Benavidez kicks the legs a few times before Fabiano scrambles up. Benavidez locks in a guillotine and drops to his back. He can’t cinch it up and has to re-adjust. He stays tight on Fabiano and latches in the choke a second time. Fabiano’s arm is in the hold, and he survives and sweeps out to the top. Fabiano shifts out to side control. Benavidez squirms out from underneath and lands a right hand to the face before working to the guillotine a third time. This time it’s secure with no arm in. Benavidez squeezes and arches, and Fabiano is forced to tap. Joseph Benavidez def. Wagnney Fabiano via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 2:45.

ERIK KOCH VS. FRANCISCO RIVERA

Round 1 – Referee Steve Mazzagatti oversees the action. Koch takes the center and Rivera blocks an early high kick. Koch kicks to the body. Koch lands a jab. Koch continues to circle and kicks along with the occasional jab. Rivera holds the center, but he has yet to land. Koch lands a clean left high kick, and Rivera hits the deck. Koch pounces with punches on his wounded foe, and Mazzagatti leaps in to call it a night. Erik Koch def. Francisco Rivera via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 1:36.

CHAD MENDES VS. JAVIER VAZQUEZ

Round 1 – Referee Herb Dean officiates the evening’s co-main event. Vazquez pawing the jab early. Mendes kicks, but it’s blocked. Mendes rushes forward with punches. Vazquez tries for a takedown, but Mendes shucks it off and lands a few kicks to the legs. He stands there for a bit before Vazquez pops back up. Vazquez kicks the legs. He tries again, and Mendes shoots in for the takedown. Vazquez with an open guard and a few slaps to the head. The left leg comes up high. Vazquez throws elbows to the top of the head. Mendes lifts Vazquez off the ground and slams him down. Mendes staying tight on top. Vazquez again brings the leg off, but Mendes shakes it off and delivers a few straight shots from the top. Vazquez immediately brings the legs up again. A few elbows score to the head again. Vazquez gets the left leg up and in front of the face, but Mendes easily pulls free. Vazquez continues to land elbows from the bottom. Mendes not finding much room to work from the top. Less than a minute. Mendes lands a few punchse from the top as time expires. Vazquez makes a great case for winning the fight from the bottom, but MMAjunkie.com will give it to Mendes from the top, 10-9.

Round 2 – Mendes leaps in with a knee and then fires a few punches. Vazquez covers up and pulls guard as the fight hits the deck. Vazquez again with the rubber guard, and Mender stands and slams him to the floor. Vazquez looking for options underneath. Mendes works in a few short punches, but there’s not much room to work. Mendes does get four nice punches in from the top. Vazquez with the feet on the hips and he’s landing palm strikes on both sides of the head. Mendes postures and stands. He avoids the upkicks and kicks the legs a few times. Boos come in from the crowd as Mendes fires into a leaping front flip guard pass. They scramble up, and Vazquez tries to move to the back. Mendes rolls and winds up in top position. Nice sequence from Mendes. Vazquez in the guard. Mendes stacks him, but Dean wants a restart. Mendes misses a big kicks. Vazquez tries to close with punches, but Mendes just dances away. MMAjunkie.com sees the second for Mendes, 10-9.

Round 3 – Mendes comes out punching. Vazquez covers up well, but a few sneak through. Vazquez kicks the legs but Mendes backs away from an ensuing clinch. Vazquez lands a nice overhand left. Mendes ducks under a punch and drives Vazquez to the floor. Vazquez returns to the elbows from underneath as he works an open guard. Mendes postures up and stands. Vazquez misses the upkicks. No flip this time as Vazquez returns to his feet. Mendes lands a nice right high kick that stuns Vazquez. Mendes rushes in and works the fight to the floor again. The flexible Vazquez underneath looking for options, but Mendes just pins him down and lands short left elbows and forearms. It’s not enough for Dean, who wants a restart. Mendes lands a few strong punches on the restart. Vazquez backs up to the cage and Mendes puts him down again. Vazquez works the legs high again, but Mendes shrugs it off. Vazquez bleeding a bit underneath, and with less than a minute, he’s running out of options. Mendes stands briefly before pushing back down. Vazquez still works the rubber guard, but it’s not working. Round ends there. It’s all Mendes, and with Vazquez’s minimal output in the third, it’s borderline 10-8. MMAjunkie.com gives it to Mendes, 10-9, and awards him the fight 30-27. Chad Mendes def. Javier Vazquez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

URIJAH FABER VS. TAKEYA MIZUGAKI

Round 1 – Referee Josh Rosenthal in charge of the evening’s main event. Faber with an early left and then steps aside. Mizugaki fires a few punches, but he’s short. Both fighters comfortable boxing, and Mizugaki landing a few stiff blows. Mizugaki presses in against Faber along the cage. Faber circles off and drives a knee inside. Faber breaks free and tries to sneak to the back, but Mizugaki turns into the clinch. Nice right hand for Faber, and he moves back into the clinch. Mizugaki lands a knee to the chin and circles off. Faber thinks trip but it’s defended. Faber pulls free and both largely miss n a big flurry. Faber walks into a low kick but lands punches up top. Mizugaki standing in the pocket and answering. Faber shoots in, but Mizugaki defends well. Mizugaki defends well in the over-under, but Faber slips to the back and jumps up. Mizugaki standing and defending the choke. Faber has a firm body triangle, and he remains in as Mizugaki rolls to the floor. Faber gets the right arm around the neck. Mizugaki defends it briefly, but as he rolls over to his belly, the choke looks to be in very tight. Rosenthal checks in a few times with Mizugaki’s face blocked, and he finally pulls Faber off. Mizugaki is out cold. Urijah Faber def. Takeya Mizugaki via technical submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:50.

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